Since 1982, the Faded Rose has been serving up some of the best – if not the best – Cajun food in Arkansas. The David family has been doing their part to bring a taste of New Orleans to the Natural State for decades, and they are continuing their good work to this day.

 

AY Publisher Heather Baker and KARK host Carmen Rose are putting that taste to the test in the latest edition of the Appetizer Bucket List. This pair is heading over to the Faded Rose in the Riverdale area for some delicious snacks.

Carmen Rose and Heather Baker

A bright summer day is the perfect time for a good Cajun lunch! “We are ready for it. They have a patio set up, so you can come out here during COVID. We are ready for some Cajun apps, for sure,” Rose says.

 

Before Baker and Rose can dive into the food, it’s got to be whipped up first. Chef and owner Zac David works in the kitchen to get everything in perfect order. He is sending out a variety of appetizers, but there are a few star items. These include Rose’s Louisiana Crab Cakes, which feature premium blue crab meat; Cajun popcorn, which are breaded crawfish tails served with housemade sauce; and fried frog legs.

These frog legs, David says, are “something you don’t get everywhere.” However, he insists that “people in Arkansas are going to love [them].”

 

Once everything is laid out in front of Baker and Rose, they quickly get down to business. “This food is on point. We’ve got fried crawfish, and my crab cakes, and mushrooms,” Baker says.

Both choose the crab cakes as the perfect starting point. In fact, the crab cakes are both of their favorite parts of the appetizer bucket list at the Faded Rose.

 

But it isn’t just the food that’s a draw at the Faded Rose. There’s a wide variety of beer at the restaurant to sweeten the deal. There are local brews, from Flyway Brewing and Superior Brewery, as well as Louisiana brews for the true New Orleans experience.

Overall, Baker and Rose are bowled over by the experience at the Faded Rose.

 

“One of the things about the Faded Rose is its patio. It’s just a fun atmosphere,” Baker says.

“It’s a very local vibe here. I know we have a lot of returning customers that are loyal, and it’s for a reason,” Rose says.

 

Check back next week to see where these culinary explorers go next on the Appetizer Bucket List tour.

READ MORE: Less is More – Appetizer Bucket List